2132:Phoenix

Chapter 38

Calepus:

She's gone. Rozener just left to continue his search, but they could be anywhere. They didn't go to the Torexx, which was good, but there were lots of species that were worse. Lost in space. The galaxy was huge. Species were endless. Planets, moons, large asteroids, hell she could be on a ship anywhere.

"Snap out of it, Calepus. You need to think" Yukera started to pace. Sure I needed to think, but where would I even start? "The bounty hunters didn't go to the Torexx, so who would pay more for someone like, Lexi? Where would they get the most?" She's an anomaly, so scientific beings would be the most interested. Her ability to absorb DNA would make her good as a warrior, maybe explorers. Whoever had her had to be big enough and brazen enough to stand against the Torexx. They had to be rich, my uncle was offering up a small moon for her return.

"There's too many, and I've been isolated for too long," I panicked.

"We can set up a program."

"Whoever it is won't just hand her over. Yukera."

"Do not give up hope, Calepus. First, we need to learn who has her."

"I'll go start a program."

She's gone.

Lexi:

When the being returned he released my wrists one at a time to bandage them and then popped my thumb back into place. He grumbled the entire time and hissed if I even tugged my wrists because the cleaning agent he used was burning. Then he stripped the wet blanket from me, which might have been worse than when it was on me. The air was freezing, and I was soaked. The monitor was still clicking along, driving me absolutely crazy. The whole room reverberated that sharp click causing it to shriek off the stone. My chest started to tighten as the beeping got louder. The being was rustling around in the corner only adding to the screeching music. My right hand was stiff with the sling he used. I was getting dizzy. I needed to drown out the noise. I screamed.

Something was clattering about in the background as my broken scream zinged across the stone. I took a deep breath and let my head loll to the side. The world was quiet again. The being was covering his ears with his eyes closed, as if my scream had actually hurt him. His tail was thrashing back and forth, dangerously close to his table. I saw what hit the floor, it was clean clothes, or at least dry ones. His hands strained so tightly against his head I was surprised he didn't draw blood. His breath started coming in short chuff-like bursts, and he removed his hands from his head. He stared at me for a moment, shook his head to clear it, and came towards me with the clothes he had.

I didn't fight him when he freed my ankles, and by some stroke of luck, he didn't recuff the, to the table once he put the soft pair of shorts on me. Then he unbound both of my wrists and helped me out of my shirt and into a new one. I was very aware of how far that door was from me, but it was bound to be locked, and with no idea of how to get out I stayed put on the table. I just didn't want to be cuffed again. Then he did something unexpected. The being hugged me tightly to his body. His skin was smooth and bumpy like snakeskin, and he radiated heat from his core. Not cold-blooded. Despite the situation, it was nice to be hugged. I relaxed into him and he patted my head.

The spotted one came in after about a minute and fed me spoonfuls of something. It tasted amazing, but I was starving. She got up without putting my mask back on. It didn't matter though, the unspotted one grabbed it once she left and gently resealed it against my face. He pushed me back gently and I fell asleep on my side. The more trust I gained, the better chance I'd have of escaping. So I waited and did what I was told while they finished whatever they were doing. It might take weeks, or months, or years, but I'd find a way out. If for no one else but myself, I'd get out.